Saint JOSEPH'S basketball

After a promising freshman season that included 30 starts, it was announced that Pierfrancesco "Checco" Oliva will have knee surgery following further worsening to a chronic knee condition during offseason workouts.

"We're obviously disappointed for Checco, but he has the best in terms of medical care and rehab," head coach Phil Martelli said in a press release. "His teammates and coaches will keep their arms wrapped around him as he goes through the day-to-day grind of not just getting back, but getting better. I anticipate that as we go on we’ll see a much better Checco."

The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 16.4 minutes per game, 4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and shot 38% from the field. Oliva was expected to be a large part of the team throughout the upcoming season, but now the team will have to rely on other big men, inlcuding senior Javon Baumann, junior Jai Williams, sophomore Markell Lodge, and freshman Lorenzo Edwards.